Distinguishing features

The genomic organization of fabaviruses is similar to that of comoviruses. Similar to comoviruses, RNA-2 encodes two overlapping polyproteins with the N-terminal protein playing a role in the replication of RNA-2 and the overlapping movement protein being synthesized through initiation at the second AUG codon [{Lin et al., 2014:24390330RJOHTXLin et al., 2014, The bean pod mottle virus RNA2-encoded 58-kilodalton protein P58 is required in cis for RNA2 accumulation, J Virol, 88, 6, 3213-22}]. The movement protein was also confirmed to be a structural component of the tubular structures that traverse the cell wall [{Liu et al., 2011:20832435RJOHTXLiu et al., 2011, The VP37 protein of Broad bean wilt virus 2 induces tubule-like structures in both plant and insect cells, Virus Res, 155, 1, 42-7}] (Figure 3.Secoviridae). The cleavage of polyproteins is presumed to be similar to that of comoviruses but this has not been investigated in detail. Fabaviruses have wide host ranges among dicotyledonous plants and some families of monocotyledonous plants. Symptoms are ringspots, mottling, mosaic, distortion, wilting and apical necrosis. In nature, fabaviruses are transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner.